Kris Vallotton • Feb 05, 2018

Read This if You Feel Like You’re Standing at the Gates of Hell

The dogs of doom stand at the doors of our destiny and they bark loud, my friends. We have to take up supernatural faith if we’re going to be able to drown out their yelps and step through the door into the callings God has on our lives. The truth is, although pursuing your destiny is often filled with adventure, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.

The enemy wants to scare you out of the thing that you were made for, and he makes himself louder (and appears to be bigger) the closer you get to walking through the door to your life purpose.Whether you’re facing fear, demonic attack, or any other horrible situation today, I want to encourage you that Jesus is standing with you.

STANDING AT THE GATES OF HELL

On today’s Monday Motivation video let’s see how Jesus spoke destiny over someone at a place that was literally called the gates of hell. Now if you can’t see the prophetic picture in that, I think it’s time to get your eyes checked!

Let’s take a look:

In a nutshell:
• Matthew 16:13-20 says, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.“
• I went to Caesarea Philippi and it had such a weird feeling. It’s the place where they sacrificed to the god of pan.
• The god of pan required that his worshippers would give their first-born children to him. The people would take the babies to the top of the cliff and drop them into the gate of hell. If the blood ran out down the street, the god of pan was satisfied. If not, they had to drop more children.
• So, Jesus is standing at a place where there were blood stains running down the pavement when He said to Peter, “the gates of hell will not prevail against you.”
• When Jesus asks, “who am I to you?” Peter says, “the Christ.” Christ means the anointed one or the one anointed with power.
• Do you understand that Jesus is not just the Christ; He’s the light of the world, the alpha and omega, the bread of life and we can go on and on. But to Peter, the name of Jesus that stood out the most was “Christ.”
• Jesus then renames Peter, who used to be called Simon.
• Simon means somebody who was moved by the wind like a reed.
• Peter was not a popular name at this time. It meant “rock.” So when Jesus renames Peter, He is saying that he’ll be redeemed from someone who is easily blown over to a rock.
• Let’s take another look at what Jesus declares over Peter: “…upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
• Just as Peter saw Jesus as Christ, the one anointed with power, Jesus was declaring over Peter that his revelation of who Jesus was to him is exactly who Jesus would be through him.
• Whoever Jesus is to you, He’ll be through you.

ACTIVATION FOR THE WEEK

Today I want to encourage you with a couple of thoughts:
1. Hell will not prevail in your life! Regardless of the crazy stuff that may be happening around you (maybe it’s even demonic just as in Caesarea Philippi) Jesus is standing next to it in power and authority. He says it will not overcome you and I’m here to remind you of that truth today! I pray you will take up that posture of authority and stand with Him in whatever troubles you may be facing, knowing that you’re already victorious! Hold onto this as you go into this new week with renewed hope! I also want to point out that it was at a very dark place that Peter received a calling and destiny, maybe the same is true for you today?
2. Whoever Jesus is to you, He’ll be through you! Today I want you to look back on your journey with the Lord and think about who He is to you (understanding that He is infinite and has many names.) Which of Christ’s characteristics resonate most with you? Is it the Evangelist who left the 99 sheep to find the one? Is it the Wonderful Counselor who loves to comfort and bring wisdom? Is it the Almighty God whose power is undeniable? It’s important to recognize this as a way God can and will move through you.If you’re stuck and needing breakthrough towards your destiny, I pray that this key will bring clarity and help you move forward this week!

So, who do YOU say God is? And let’s take a step further, has God given you “a new name” to walk in, just as He did for Peter? I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts in the comments below!

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